Despite his age, Erislandy Lara, 42, feels like he hasn’t lost a step.

Father Time always wins, but the former two-division champ and current WBA 160-pound titlist has barely broken a sweat over the last few years. Still, he figures to have a difficult time in the ring when he takes on IBF and WBO middleweight champion Janibek Alimkhanuly on December 6 at Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Texas.

Becoming a unified champ may not be attainable for Lara, but Paulie Malignaggi isn’t counting him out. It all comes down to what version of Alimkhanuly (17-0, 12 KOs) shows up.

“You favor Janibek, but if he gives you one of those dud performances Lara has the craftiness to offset him,” Malignaggi said on a self-recorded video posted on his YouTube channel, Paulie TV.

During his campaign as a champion at 154 pounds, Lara (31-3-3, 19 KOs) appeared listless in performances against Brian Castano and Greg Vendetti. However, he’s looked brand new since moving up to middleweight in 2021. Four knockouts later, including against Danny Garcia in 2024, and Lara finds himself on a solid run.

Alimkhanuly made it look easy in his last contest, scoring a fifth-round stoppage over Anauel Ngamissengue.

Still, there have been times where he has appeared uninterested in the ring. That fatal flaw can’t rear its ugly head against Lara.

“I think it’s more important for Janibek to be the guy to really be on,” Malignaggi said. “For the most part, you kinda know what you’re going to get with Lara. He will upset you if you don’t show up at your best.”